This week, our group headed to beautiful Tel Aviv for a walking tour of Neve Tzedek. We learned about how secular Zionism evolved in Tel Aviv. It was interesting to see how, in a very Jewish way, two very different sides of Zionism—the secular Zionism of Tel Aviv and the religious Zionism of Jerusalem—are, in fact, not so different at all. Rather, the cultural differences of Israeli society allow this tiny nation to paint a complete picture of humanity in all its forms.

The next day, we continued learning about Israel’s diversity by visiting an Ethiopian village, Beta Israel. There, we learned about the struggles and the exhausting trek it took to reach Israel from Ethiopia. We then participated in a traditional coffee ceremony, where a few of our classmates dressed in traditional clothing. We enjoyed special Ethiopian bread and danced to lively music, fully immersing ourselves in the experience. Afterward, we got our hands dirty and began building a mud hut—half the group made the mud while the other half molded the structure. After an amazing lunch, we headed to the Negev Desert.

There, we stopped at Kibbutz Revivim. Our teacher, Reuven, explained the history of the kibbutz and how it was a major stepping stone for the Labor Zionist movement. It was founded by young Jewish refugees who were part of the Zionist youth movement. In traditional Muss fashion, this was a topic we had studied just days earlier, which deepened the meaning of seeing it in person. These tiyulim allowed us to explore the different branches of Zionism, along with the diversity of Israel as a whole.

After these two days, we began preparing for the holiday of Shavuot. Most of us had little idea of what to expect—just that we would be staying up all night and visiting a yeshiva or seminary. This was something new for the majority of our group. Filled with anticipation, we packed what we needed and headed to Jerusalem.

The evening began with a visit to a seminary, where the girls engaged in learning core Torah values and heard an inspiring talk from a well-known rabbi. We had the chance to connect with the seminary students, sparking conversations about potential post-high school paths. In the early hours of the morning, we began our journey to the Kotel. It was truly inspiring to see so many Jews gathered together in one holy place. As the sun began to rise, we all huddled together, enjoying each other’s presence. With our phones forgotten and the world temporarily at a distance, I felt completely present, surrounded by my "family." The whole experience was deeply refreshing and calming.

After praying at the Kotel, we began walking back to our hotel, singing and looking up at the rising sun. It was truly an unforgettable experience and a moment of pure connection.

Abigail is an 11th-grade student at Bergenfield High School, New Jersey.